The Maryland School for the Blind hosted its third annual See Beyond Festival on Saturday, bringing together sighted people and blind and low vision individuals. The event showcased different aspects of what life is like for blind and low vision people.
Attendees were able to use a braille writer, play blind sports, navigate obstacles with a cane, and participate in other activities.
The event also allowed participants to tap into some of their other senses, including making and listening to music, and using textural crafts.
Check out scenes from the festival in this gallery of photos by Carl Schmidt of Federal Hill Photography LLC:
Lou Smith, graduate of MD School for the Blind, performs at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Virginia Jacobs, student at MD School for the Blind, performs at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Kira Taylor-Davis, left, of Abingon, uses a braille writer, assisted by MD School for the Blind’s Mary Einsel. The braille writer produces braille on paper in response to pressing various key combinations on the writer. The Maryland School for the Blind: See Beyond Festival in Baltimore, MD. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Emma Green, 7, reacts to seeing her face painted at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) At the Braille Craft booth Irelynn Lighty (left), 8, and brother Braxton, 9, select materials for making a white cane key chain, while mother Casey Garrety looks on. They were among the many attendees of the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) (L to R) Charlie Krumholtz, 10; Brenden Culver, 10; and Hana Williams and daughter Natalie, 2, of Los Angeles, participate in a drum circle at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Food vendors included B’More Greek at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Vendors and groups table at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Ben Bass, orientation and mobility specialist at MD School for the Blind, teaches Rayna Smith, 7, of Rosedale how to navigate an obstacle course various skills such as a cane, learning boundries of a space, and audio cues. The activity was part of the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Kevin Burton, of Nottingham, experiences blind soccer at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. The ball contains a rattle so Burton can identify its location by sound. An event volunteer provides voice guidance on where the ball and goal are. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Angela Way, of Baltimore County, runs blindfolded down a sprint track at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. Way is tethered to a guide wire, which guides the sprinter down the track. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Aileen Baker, 2, works with clay and a cookie cutter at the Baltimore Clayworks table at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Crow Blanchard, of Bel Air, adds fur to a wooden polar bear silhouette at the Make Studio booth at the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Lyric Campbell, 7, uses various materials at the MD Art Education Association table to create a favorite destination; the beach. The purpose of the exercise was to communicate an idea through texture. It was part of the Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC) Deklynd Boarts, 4, is greeted by Driver, a 13-week-old guide dog in training at The Maryland School for the Blind’s See Beyond Festival on April 27, 2024. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC)
